Everything We Know About Apple’s Upcoming 12.9″ and 11″ iPad Pros

New iPad Pros are coming. But you shouldn’t just expect incremental changes this year. By most of the current and most reputable rumors, the iPad Pro lineup is getting the “modern iPhone (iPad)” treatment. Here’s everything you need to know.

✓ New iPad Pro Specs and Features

The 2018 iPad Pro lineup will be a significant update to Apple’s premium tablet. And some of its biggest features could be borrowed from Apple’s handsets.

Notably, that includes an edge-to-edge style design with significantly reduced bezels.

According to reputable analyst reports, that could mean that Apple will be able to fit a larger 11-inch display into the same footprint as its past 10.5-inch model.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is expected to have the same display size, but could actually be smaller, lighter and more portable thanks to the reduced bezel design.

At this point, we pretty much already know about the most significant update to the iPad Pro lineup: the addition of a TrueDepth Camera and Face ID.

Despite the TrueDepth Camera, we don’t believe there will be a sensor notch on the new tablets. Instead, the sensor housing will sit flush with the top bezel.

Similarly, Face ID on the iPad Pro is rumored to support facial recognition when in landscape orientation.

Thanks to iOS 12, the new iPad Pro models might feature multi-user Face ID support. That could be handy as iPad Pros are shared much more frequently than smartphones.

The introduction of Face ID could also mean that the Home button will be killed off. If that’s the case, expect the iPad Pro to sport gesture-based controls like the iPhone X.

There are also some credible reports that the Smart Connector may be repositioned on the new iPad Pro models, just above where the Lightning port is. However that port could switch to USB-C which would allow for 4K monitor compatibility.

Both new iPad Pro models are expected to run on a new chipset, which could be a variant of the A12 Bionic. We don’t expect RAM specifications to change all that much or at all this year.

✓ New iPad Pro Color Options

Both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro will likely come in the usual suite of color options.

That might include Silver and Space Gray this year. But if Apple’s last event is any indication, the company may have a color surprise for its fans and customers.

The Apple Watch Series 4 and new iPhones debuted in a new metallic gold finish. Based on the new gold color scheme across the lineup, it’s worth venturing that new iPad Pro models will come in this finish, too.

✓ Where to Buy New iPad Pro

The new iPad Pro models will be available directly from Apple. That includes the company’s Apple Store locations, its Apple Store app, or via its online storefront.

Expect the iPad Pro to launch at third-party retailers and carriers, too. So nothing much will change from past releases.

✓ New iPad Pro Release Date

Unlike new Apple Watch and iPhone models which already launched this year, we aren’t exactly sure when Apple will debut the new iPad Pro lineup.

It was possible that the Cupertino firm would unveil the new Pro tablets at its Gather Round event, which took place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12. But obviously this wasn’t actually the case.

Keep in mind Apple is also expected to debut new Mac models this year, too. In the past, when it hasn’t unveiled Mac hardware at WWDC, Apple has taken to launching computers during a second keynote event around October.

October/November are the key months to keep your eye open for new Apple products, whether the company holds another event or the new devices are announced via a Press Release.

✓ New iPad Pro Price

We have no reason to believe that the 2018 iPad Pro lineup will be any different than previous generations, so expect relatively similar pricing.

The 11-inch iPad Pro could start at $649.

The 12.9-inch model would start at $799 for the most basic storage and connectivity tier.